INSTRUCTORS PLEASE READ!!! DM's Too.

[Diver_Jan]

Dear Scuba Instructors and DM's,

This is just a friendly reminder to check your students gear before they enter the water.

I observed a group of 6 OW students and one instructor (no DM) this morning. As one student was making their way across the sand, I noticed that their tank was slipping lower and lower, and lower.

As the group met up at the waters edge, I made my way over to the group. The Instructor was at that point wading into the surf to prepare his students surf entry. At that point, I politely asked the diver with the 'extremely' low tank if they were comfortable how the tank was seated and explained to them how I saw the tank slip as they made their way across the sand. I proceeded to assist the student in repositioning their tank. Two other students also needed their tanks repositioned as well. One student, didn't have their band threaded correctly.

I have personally witnessed a diver loose their tank and it's not a pretty site. In fact, it was quite scary, for the diver became panicked. Fortunately, there were several divers in the area to assist, and the fact that the diver was at the surface. It could have been alot worse, if the diver had been at depth. All in all, it could have been prevented.

I wonder what this instructor would have done if all three of his students had lost their tanks?

Ok, I have said my piece. I'm just glad that I was there to help.

 

[mrobinson]

Jan - Please do us a huge favor. Ask for a QA on this guy.

 

[ddavies]

Good catch. I was at 30 ft when I noticed a student diver having a problem. When he turned around I saw his tank had slid down and the band was caught on his valve. I repositioned his tank, not any easy task in cold water with gloves and nothing to hold on to. I had some harsh thoughts for both his instructor and dive buddy, neither had noticed the student's distress. I just happened to be near by.

 

[drbill]

I notice the same thing at the Casino Point dive park on Catalina. Had to tell a student yesterday that neither of his tank straps were tight and his tank was slipping. He was the last of his class in line on the stairs so the instructor didn't see it at that time, but should have caught it before they walked over.

Another problem with some instructors at the dive park... they will stand on the bottom stair of the down side and offer instruction to their group as they stand in line. This frequently results in delays for other divers. Instructors should be aware that there is not supposed to be any instruction on the stairs (per the signs). It was especially bad this past weekend, which wasn't even very crowded.

 

[Mo2vation]

Another problem with some instructors at the dive park... they will stand on the bottom stair of the down side and offer instruction to their group as they stand in line. This frequently results in delays for other divers. Instructors should be aware that there is not supposed to be any instruction on the stairs (per the signs). It was especially bad this past weekend, which wasn't even very crowded.

That's when you and I go around them and go down on the up side...

Well, that's what I do.

---
Ken

 

[Diver_Jan]

Bill, it was actually at Casino Point where I witnessed the paniced diver at the surface when his tank had slipped out of the tank band. His buddy was on his way out and onto the steps, oblivious of what was going on. As I mentioned earlier, everything turned out ok. Especially tricky though at the point with the thick kelp and all.

Regards

 

[MikeFerrara]

I've seen MANY lost tanks on the surface and a few in the water.

At places like Gilboa you'll allways see at least a couple divers have tanks drop out of the bands as they walk. With the wooden docks you don't even have to see it, you can hear it. Thud...there goes another one.

 

[shep]

I thought that was what the long hoses were for!

 

[alaity47]

Another problem with some instructors at the dive park... they will stand on the bottom stair of the down side and offer instruction to their group as they stand in line. This frequently results in delays for other divers. Instructors should be aware that there is not supposed to be any instruction on the stairs (per the signs). It was especially bad this past weekend, which wasn't even very crowded.

Didn't help that the tide was low in the mornings this weekend, either - I also noticed that the stairs were unusually slow, despite the relatively small crowds!

Bill, I'm always impressed when I see you standing in line at Casino Point! Even though I understand what it's like to be new and slow on the stairs, I always wind up tapping my feet, rolling my eyes, and grumbling to my buddies about slow newbie divers who don't know to get in the water and AWAY FROM THE STAIRS as quickly as possible. (Granted, with the extra-low tide, I try to have a little extra patience.)

And then I see you, calmly standing around at the end of the line even when you must be ROASTING and tired of lugging your video rig, making no annoyed gestures or rushing down the "exit" side out of frustration. It reminds me to chill out and be patient.

 

[drbill]

, I'm always impressed when I see you standing in line at Casino Point! ....
I see you, calmly standing around at the end of the line even when you must be ROASTING and tired of lugging your video rig, making no annoyed gestures or rushing down the "exit" side out of frustration. It reminds me to chill out and be patient.

Well, shucks... thanks. Now you see why "island life" is a big benefit in keeping one calm (well, that, and the lack of stress and the anti-depressants!). I can afford to be patient since I can dive any day I want to (sea conditions willing). For those who come out for the day or the weekend, there is more urgency.

And of course you are all still stressed from the pace of "mainland life" and that awful LA freeway traffic. It takes me about a day or two over there before I start pulling out my pistols.

If I really get frustrated with the line, I just go in over the rocks (like we always used to do). I must admit I was tempted twice last weekend, but with the video camera I do have a slight risk of scratching the port.

As an aside, let's hope the vis picks up again soon. Now that's something that drives me bananas!